U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton leads anti-war challenger Jonathan Tasini 86 - 10 percent among
New York State likely Democratic primary voters, including leaners, according to a
Quinnipiac University poll released today. Four percent are undecided and 13 percent of
those who name a candidate say they might change their mind before the September 12
primary.

In general election matchups, Sen. Clinton leads either of two possible Republican
challengers by more than 2 - 1 among registered voters, the independent Quinnipiac
(KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University poll finds:

64 - 24 percent over former Pentagon official Kathleen McFarland;

62 - 26 percent over former Yonkers Mayor John Spencer.

The Democratic incumbent has widened her lead over the Republican challengers since
a June 22 poll when she led McFarland 58 - 31 percent and topped Spencer 57 - 33 percent.

In a primary matchup, Spencer leads McFarland 30 - 23 percent among registered
Republican voters, with 42 percent undecided and 65 percent of those who name a
candidate saying they might change their mind.
"Lamont-Lieberman sure didn't cross the state line. Maybe the bloggers haven't
heard yet that there's a primary in New York. Jonathan Tasini is barely in double figures
against Sen. Hillary Clinton," said Maurice Carroll, Director of the Quinnipiac University
Polling Institute.

"Political observers are bemused by the ferocity of the fight between Kathleen McFarland
and John Spencer for what the numbers suggest is the right to be trounced by Clinton. Neither
has much money. Neither, the poll says, has much of a chance in November. No voters are
paying attention. Assessing the outcome of that primary would be nuts. Flip a coin,"
Carroll said.

New York State voters approve 58 - 34 percent of the job Sen. Clinton is doing and
give her a 50 - 29 percent favorability rating, with 19 percent mixed and 3 percent who
haven't heard enough to form an opinion.

Rating their interest in the Republican Senate primary on a scale of 1 - 10, 15
percent of Republican voters list 1, not at all interested, with 55 percent at the midpoint or
lower. Only 13 percent list 10, very interested.

From August 15 - 21, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,556 New York State
registered voters with a margin of error of +/- 2.5 percentage points. The survey includes
464 likely Democratic primary voters with a margin of error of +/- 4.6 percent, and 469
registered Republicans with a margin of error of +/- 4.5 percent.
The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts
public opinion surveys in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Florida and
nationwide as a public service and for research.

For additional data -- www.quinnipiac.edu or call (203) 582-5201

2. Do you approve or disapprove of the way Hillary Rodham Clinton is handling
her job as United States Senator?

24. (If registered Democrat) If the 2006 Democratic primary for senator were
being held today and the candidates were Hillary Rodham Clinton and Jonathan
Tasini, for whom would you vote? (If undecided q24) As of today, do you lean
more toward Clinton or Tasini? This table includes Leaners.